The naming ceremony of the "Höegh Sunlight" took place at the Haitong (Taicang) Automobile Terminal of Taicang Port on Jan 14. With a total length of 199.9 meters, a beam of 37.6 m, a depth of 40.82 m, and a design draft of 9.35 m, this colossal vessel is able to carry an impressive 9,100 cars.

The "Höegh Sunlight" moors at the Haitong (Taicang) Automobile Terminal. [Photo/WeChat account: tcfbgw]

After the ceremony, the vessel, the largest and most eco-friendly automobile carrier in the world, is poised to transport nearly 5,000 commercial automotives from brands including Volvo, BYD, and SAIC MG as well as large engineering mechanical equipment from SANY, XCMG, and Yutong to major ports in European countries like the United Kingdom, France and Belgium.

Numerous automobiles are ready to be delivered on the "Höegh Sunlight". [Photo/WeChat account: tcfbgw]

In January 2022, Höegh Autoliners, a Norwegian shipping company, signed a contract with China Merchants Industry Holdings Co for the construction of 12 "Aurora Class" dual-fuel roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels with a capacity of 9,100 car equivalent units (CEUs). The "Höegh Sunlight" is the fourth vessel delivered under this contract.

The Taicang Port at dusk. [Photo/WeChat account: tcfbgw]

Since its official opening on Dec 12, 2024, the Haitong (Taicang) Automobile Terminal has completed the loading and unloading of 71,200 vehicles within just one month, accelerating the export of domestically produced automobiles.

Throughout 2024, Taicang Port exported 484,400 vehicles, marking a year-on-year increase of 18.93 percent. Vehicle exports to countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative amounted to 178,900 units, a year-on-year surge of 56.02 percent.